Can you buy Ticketmaster tickets over the phone?

Buying tickets over the phone through Ticketmaster is certainly possible for many events. While Ticketmaster encourages customers to purchase tickets online for convenience, they do provide a phone number that can be used to speak with a representative and purchase tickets. There are some key things to keep in mind when buying Ticketmaster tickets over the phone.

Availability of Phone Sales

Not all tickets sold through Ticketmaster can be purchased over the phone. Generally, major concerts, sporting events, and other high-demand tickets will be available for phone sales. But for some smaller venues or events, tickets may only be sold online. Before calling, check the event page online or call the general Ticketmaster phone number to confirm whether tickets you want can be bought over the phone.

There are a few reasons why tickets may only be available online:

• The event organizer or venue has chosen to only sell tickets online, not via phone.
• Tickets are only being sold during a presale window that is online-only.
• It is a very small venue or event with limited ticket inventory.

So it’s a good idea to check ahead of time whether the specific tickets you want can be purchased over the phone or if online sales are the only option.

Fees and Pricing

The base ticket price is typically the same whether you buy over the phone or online. However, the fees charged for phone orders may be higher in some cases.

Ticketmaster service fees and order processing fees average $12-$25 per ticket for phone orders. Online ticket orders incur service fees as well, but are sometimes cheaper – around $10-$20 per ticket on average.

Other factors that can affect total fees include:

• If the event venue charges premium phone order fees
• The price level of the tickets
• How many tickets are being purchased

For very expensive front row or VIP tickets, fees tend to be higher across the board, both online and phone. Orders with more tickets also tend to have higher total fees.

Order Processing Time

One disadvantage of phone orders is they generally take longer to process than online orders. Speaking with a Ticketmaster representative requires more time compared to online checkout. The representative has to locate the desired tickets, confirm your order details, process payment, and deliver the tickets.

It’s a good idea to allow at least 20-30 minutes total for the full phone transaction. Have payment cards ready and plan for the call to take some time. Rushing the representative can lead to costly mistakes in the order.

Online ticket orders through Ticketmaster are nearly instantaneous, outside of potential website delays due to high traffic. Online orders also allow you to carefully review seat selections before confirming purchase.

Delivery Methods

How you choose to receive the Ticketmaster tickets – mobile transfer, print-at-home, mail, or will call – can depend on whether you order online or by phone.

Mobile transfer: Available for both phone and online orders. Tickets are instantly sent to your smartphone for admission scanning upon arrival at the event.

Print-at-home: Only available for online ticket orders. You can instantly print the PDF tickets from your computer.

Mail: Available for phone and online orders. Physical hard tickets are mailed to you via UPS. Allow 7-10 days for delivery.

Will call: Choose this phone or online to pick up tickets at the venue box office on the day of the event. You will need your confirmation number and ID for pickup.

If having actual tickets to hold in your hand is important, mail or will call pickup are the options provided for phone orders. Mobile transfer or print-at-home delivery is only available for online ticket purchases.

Changing or Canceling an Order

With phone orders, you are relying on the Ticketmaster representative to accurately capture all details of your order during the call. If any changes need to be made later to the order, you will need to call back into Ticketmaster customer service.

Online orders give you the advantage of being able to sign into your Ticketmaster account to manage, exchange, or resell tickets if needed. You have direct access to view and modify the order.

For both phone and online Ticketmaster orders, change or cancellation policies depend on the event. Many tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges or upgrades may be possible for a fee in some cases. Read the fine print carefully before finalizing any Ticketmaster ticket purchase.

Special Offers and Promotions

Online ticket sales usually have access to more special offers and limited time promotions than phone orders:

• Targeted discounts based on your Ticketmaster browsing history and account details.
• Email newsletter and social media exclusive promo codes.
• Access to presales, pre-sales with early bird pricing.

Phone agents may apply general discounts or promotions that are available at the time, but typically won’t have access to as many tailored special offers.

Scalping and Resale Restrictions

For very popular events, Ticketmaster will implement safeguards against scalping and resale:

• Limiting the number of tickets that can be purchased in a single order.
• Requiring the credit card used to purchase the tickets to be shown for entry.
• Making tickets non-transferrable.

These restrictions are more commonly enforced for online sales. Phone agents have more discretion to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for large multi-ticket phone orders.

If planning to purchase tickets from Ticketmaster with the intent of reselling them, phone orders provide an advantage and greater flexibility compared to online orders.

Extra Benefits of Online Orders

While Ticketmaster does aim to provide excellent customer service for phone orders, purchasing tickets online comes with some extra perks:

• Wider selection of tickets – Access to all available inventory and seating sections. Phone agents may only have access to certain ticket blocks.
• Interactive seat maps – Select exact seat locations online based on in-venue maps.
• Easier group ordering – Keep everyone together on the same order vs coordinating separate calls.
• Split payments – Divide payment across multiple credit cards online. Phone orders require a single card.

Online purchasing simply provides more independence, flexibility and control over the transaction.

Pro Tips for Phone Orders

If you do choose to order Ticketmaster tickets over the phone, here are some tips for making the process smooth:

• Call during less busy times. Earlier in the morning or late evening is best.
• Have payment cards ready. The agent can only hold tickets for a limited time.
• Get the order reference number. This is key for tracking status or making changes.
• Double check all details are correct before hanging up.
• Be patient and polite on the call. Ticket agents are just doing their job.

Conclusion

Phone orders for Ticketmaster tickets are certainly an option for many events, but come with higher fees, longer process times, and fewer features compared to online ordering. Buying tickets directly on ticketmaster.com provides the best experience overall through exclusive offers, interactive seat selection, instant digital delivery, and easier self-management of your order. But the phone can serve as a backup if you are having issues with the website or need assistance from a live agent.